Page 99 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“What do you mean,you know?”

“We’ve been friends since childhood, Echo. I’ve seen things I probably shouldn’t have but they were just… there. Kind of like when Mael dropped trow right in front of me as if I wasn’t there and I saw his secret, too.”

“And you’ve never said anything? All of these years?”

“Why would I comment on your genitalia?” Diego asked, frowning. “Though, I think I should be offended that you’re finally sharing this massive revelation, twenty-two years later.”

Echo raised his eyebrows. “I was scared to tell you when I was younger.”

“Scared of what?”

“That you wouldn’t want to be my friend.”

Diego’s mouth opened, his frown deepening. “Why wouldn’t I?”

Echo sighed. “I’m not… like other guys. I thought you’d make fun of me.”

“One, have youeverknown me to make fun of people?” He waved his hand to stop Echo from answering.“Maliciouslymaking fun of people?”

“No,” Echo murmured. “But I didn’t know you well enough in the beginning. By the time I did, it just seemed smarter to leave it alone.”

“Smarter.”Diego rolled his eyes. “Back to your other comment. How are you not like other guys?” Diego asked. “Just because you have a bonus hole? If you say you’re a guy, you’re a guy. End of.”

Echo fought a smile. “Well, therearedays I feel a little more feminine, too.”

Diego shrugged, frowning. “We’re omega. We have a womb and an ovary that regularly pumps us full of estrogen. Why would you not feel a little more feminine on occasion? I do.”

“You do?”

“Of course,” Diego replied.

He’d never considered that his omeganess could account for some of his feminine traits. He’d assumed all of it was from him being born intersex. “You don’t act like you do,” Echo said, voice low.

“What? Because I don’t swish my ass, wear makeup and skirts, or giggle, I’m not femme enough for you?”

“I love you, you asshole,” Echo said, chuckling. “I don’t swish, nor do I giggle.”

“Thatwasn’taimed at you, I swear,” Diego replied. “But thereisthe occasional swish. Those are the days I know your feminine side’s in full control. And youhavegiggled a time or two. Not often, but it has snuck out.”

Echo chuckled, not recognizing how well Diego truly knew him before that moment. “I’ve also worn makeup. You might never have seen me in a skirt, but that doesn’t mean I don’t own a few.”

Diego grinned. “I’ve been in your closet. I know they’re there.”

“I thought I’d hidden them well enough.”

“Why hide them? If you want to wear them, wear them. Who the fuck cares?”

“My mom cares.”

“Fuck your mom,” Diego said. “She’s a million miles away right now. It’s the perfect time to break them out and give them a spin.”

“She’snota million miles away. They came home this morning. They’re going to be staying with me for a few weeks until their renter leaves.”

Diego cringed. “You’re always welcome to come over for a sleepover if she gets on your nerves.”

“Appreciated and I just might.”

“We can spend the night braiding our hair and playing with makeup and giggling over the boys we like,” Diego said before winking.

---